Hankins Lumber Company will invest $1.5 million to reopen its facility in Grenada, Mississippi following a 15 month closure due to the downturn in the economy. Headquartered in Grenada, the company uses southern yellow pine from throughout Mississippi to produce its dimension lumber and boards. The firm plans to create 120 jobs, many of which will be filled by former employees.

The firm produces and supplies a variety of lumber and related products for commercial and residential clients throughout Mississippi, as well as the country’s retail and wholesale markets.

“We are pleased that we are able to reopen our facility and bring our employees back to work,” said Al Hankins, Hankins Lumber Company president. It was difficult to have to close the operation down for any length of time, but with the resurgence of the housing market and the renewed demands for timber products, we believe it now makes economic sense to reinvest in the business. We are eager to hire our employees back and get started. We appreciate the county supervisors, the Economic Development District and the Mississippi Development Authority for working hand-in-hand with us to make this reopening possible.”

“I am grateful to the team at Hankins Lumber Company for again placing its confidence in our business climate and trust in our workforce. Hankins Lumber Company has been a great business partner to the state for more than forty years, and I appreciate the company for reinvesting in Mississippi,” Gov. Phil Bryant said. “The reopening of this facility represents a new beginning for the company and for our economy, and I wish Hankins Lumber Company more years of success in Grenada.”

The Mississippi Development Authority provided assistance in support of the project to refurbish a rail spur that services the company’s site. Grenada County also provided assistance.

“Helping companies like Hankins Lumber Company restart its operations and rehire many of its former employees is an important part of what our agency does to help grow the economy in our state,” MDA Executive Director Brent Christensen said. “We are grateful to the Grenada County Economic Development District and the Grenada County Board of Supervisors who worked with us to make this project a reality.”